With gas prices high, should drivers dare to hop in the driver’s seat? It seems the average price per gallon rises every time we turn around. As of Sept. 7, the average price per gallon in the United States was $2.67 a gallon. In Bakersfield, it was $2.83.
Some of the cheapest gas in Bakersfield is at AM/PM off Fairfax and Auburn, where it’s $2.75 a gallon. Even though it’s some of the cheapest gas in town it’s still high, compared to the rest of the country.
“We don’t have any control over the gas prices, we get the call and that determines whether we raise them up or lower them down,” said Kelley Riley, a Fastrip employee.
It takes BC freshman Robert Arismendez $60 to fill up his 1994 Chevy Silverado. “With the expense of gas I have less money for the things I enjoy,” said Robert Arismendez of Bakersfield.
According to Travelmsn.com, even though gas prices are high, 80% of vacationers will still travel by car. The will to drive and new fuel efficient cars may be the reason for this.
Newer models of cars are getting more and more fuel-efficient. The Honda Insight and Toyota Prius Hybrid, for example, both get a remarkable 60 mpg in the city.
According to Toyota.com, sales of fuel-efficient cars are rising at an outstanding rate. Sales of the Prius Hybrid were posted best ever in August at 11,177, an increase of 9.3% from last year.
Fuel-efficient cars aren’t the only way to beat high gas prices.
Carpooling is another way to battle high gas prices. Many people carpool to and from school as well as work. Especially those people who have to commute from long distances.
BC sophomore Miguel Lopez of Shafter carpools with his two buddies three times a week. “Thanks to carpooling, my pockets are a little fatter,” said Miguel Lopez. Not only does carpooling save money, it helps to save the air as well.
Kern Council of Government offers a program called Kern Commuters. “Kern Commuters offers a number of ways to avoid high gas prices,” said Linda Urata of the Kern Council of Government. These methods include riding your bike, walking, and riding the bus as well as carpooling.
Kern Council of Government also offers a carpooling match-up program. Citizens can call 832-RIDE to find others to commute with to events, school, as well as work. By December this program will have a running website.